Brilliant Birks leads Tigers to easy Newcastle win

Nigel Pearson
Speedway

TERRIFIC Tigers continued their rampant home form with a 63-29 victory over Newcastle last night.

Once again it was a solid all-round performance from Eric Boocock’s in-form side who remain on course for the runners-up spot.

Reserve Ashley Birks was in awesome form with a string of stunning rides in his 10+2 maximum haul to put himself very much in the frame for a place in next season’s Tigers side. He admits confidence is the key to his fine run of form in his first full season of Premier League racing.

He said: “It helps when you win races in the National League and now I’m doing it more regularly in the Premier League with Sheffield.

“I’m feeling good on the bike and I feel confident every time I go out on the bike. Hopefully I can continue this for the rest of the season, both home and away.”

Josh Auty dropped one point to an opposing rider, his only defeat at the fastest track in Britain in the last three weeks.

And skipper Ricky Ashworth warmed up for next week’s Premier League Riders’ Championship with 14 from his five outings. A similar display on Sunday week will give him a fine chance of a second PLRC title in three years. For the second week in succession Sheffield didn’t suffer a last place and despite the one-sided scoreline there was some entertainment for the fans to enjoy.

Mark Lemon and Stuart Robson were both used for tactical rides by visiting boss George English but they failed to win a race.